Di Wang Gong Lue

 [Chapter 42 - I’ve seen my older brother’s beloved] This younger brother is shocked

Ever since the time where Duan Bai Yue stayed the night, there were two pillows on the royal bed. The attendant wanted to take it away when they took the pillows to wash, but they were stopped by Eunuch Si Xi, who said that the emperor is used to it, and to keep it that way in the future.

Duan Bai Yue leaned against his side. 

Chu Yuan didn’t speak either. He faced the wall for a while, before turning back to look at him.

Of course, Duan Bai Yue had not fallen asleep. 

Chu Yuan spoke: “Mu Chi Lao Ren has already finished researching Ba Huang Zhen Fa; do you want to go see him tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Duan Bai Yue was surprised: “To think I thought it was something that only existed in ancient literature. I never thought that it could be really reproduced in this age.”

“It’s actually the maze of bronze men.” Chu Yuan said, “But Fei Mian reportedly changed the bronze men to warriors who are not afraid of death, so it’s even harder to break through. It’s something worth seeing.”

“Why are you still thinking of Fei Mian.” Duan Bai Yue sighed, rubbing his thumb against Chu Yuan’s cheek, “On that day, didn’t I say that the Tian Chen Sha is just a rumour, and even if it’s really in Fei Mian, I will find a way to get it myself, there’s no need for you to do anything, got it?”

“The origin for the recent string of incidents are all from Nanyang.” Chu Yuan said, “There’s many island nations there. While it may not be the country of Fei Mian causing trouble, it doesn’t mean it isn’t them either.”

Duan Bai Yue frowned slightly.

“Anyway, there’s no harm in knowing one more formation.” Chu Yuan spoke, “Better to be prepared.”

Duan Bai Yue could only say: “Alright.”

“Elder Nan had gone to Jade Coffin mountain a few days ago, are there any news from him?” Chu Yuan asked. 

Duan Bai Yue said: “No.”

“Could something have happened?” Chu Yuan was a bit worried. 

“Not to worry, that Lan Yi Zhan won’t be a worthy opponent for my family’s teacher. As it stands now, in the current Jianghu, there aren"t many who can oppose him.” Duan Bai Yue said. 

“He’s this extraordinary?” Chu Yuan was surprised, “Is it because of Bodhi Heart Sutra?”

Duan Bai Yue laughed: “How is it that even you have heard of this ridiculous thing.”

……..

Chu Yuan was dumbstruck. 

When they went to Xi Nan previously, in those books which Si Xi bought, there are many records of such a thing. But it’s somewhat unorthodox for the ruler of a country to read such things, so Chu Yuan just said, “En.” 

Luckily Duan Bai Yue wasn’t concerned about just what this “en” means, and continued: “There’s no name for my teacher’s martial arts, and there’s no sects for it. He was abducted and sold when young, escaped afterwards, and took a martial artist as his father; after the martial artist pa.s.sed away, he wandered around various sects, becoming a student of many teachers, but because he was too mischievous and unorthodox, he would be chased out within a year. After drifting for around a decade like this, he didn’t master a single martial art, but he didn’t not know of any martial art either.”

Chu Yuan laughed: “This temperament and personality, it sure matches with the person in the rumors.

“After he was expelled from a sect for the last time, my teacher was pursued by many people with grudges against him. While defending himself against his enemy, he figured out a martial art style of his own instead. He then went into seclusion in Xi Nan for five years, before he finally mastered his own martial arts.” Duan Bai Yue said, “It’s just that although this martial art is astonishingly strong, it also has quite the potential for abuse, so our teacher didn’t dare to teach us in detail either. Thus for the martial arts that Yao-er and I learnt, other than the normal looking sword style of the Duan family, the other styles that we are taught are completely different. An outsider looking in wouldn’t think that both of us were from the same school.”

“Elder Nan is truly exceptional.” Chu Yuan flipped over, lying on his stomach, and continued asking, “What about the Bodhi Heart Sutra, is it practised by you or by Yao-er, or is it just nonsense by outsiders, and there’s no such style?”

Duan Bai Yue said: “The Bodhi Heart Sutra is too malevolent. After my teacher had researched it, he initially wanted to ask me to master it, but felt that it would be hard to account to my father if I died while mastering it---”

“What do you mean, died while mastering it.” Chu Yuan interrupted him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“This was truly my teacher’s original words.” Duan Bai Yue smiled, “This Bodhi Heart Sutra was sealed up afterwards. Not even I have seen the entirety of it, I have only flipped through a few pages of it.”

“I see.” Chu Yuan finally understood, and said, “I don’t know why, but elder Nan keeps covering his face in front of me. Otherwise, I would have wanted to share a toast with him.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “He’s the infamous poison-maker of Jiang Hu, others want to avoid him at all costs. You’re probably the only one in this world who wants to have a drink with him.”

Chu Yuan was unhappy: “How can you talk about an elder like this.”

Duan Bai Yue smiled: “I’m just speaking the truth, if there’s a chance to drink together, you would probably be infuriated to death by him.” 

Chu Yuan: “........”

More like I would be infuriated to death by you. 

“Sleep, there’s still court to be held in the morning.” Duan Bai Yue tucked in the corners of the blanket.

Instead, Chu Yuan shook his head: “Court is adjourned tomorrow.”

“Why?” Duan Bai Yue asked, “Did something happen, are those old men going to start doing their remonstrating again?” 

Chu yuan laughed audibly: “This time, it’s not that. Gao Li King has finally stayed his fill in the capital and is leaving. In any case, Jin Shu had gotten her betrothed in the capital too, so we have bestowed gifts on them, and will lead the officials to send them off to Gao Li tomorrow morning.”

“Speaking of it, Jin Shu is also going to marry someone from Nanyang.” Duan Bai Yue asked, “Previously it was said that the other party is just a merchant, but has his family background been investigated clearly?”

“So concerned about this?” Chu Yuan cast a glance at him.

“Of course I’m concerned.” Duan Bai yue said, “Before this you were still saying how all the recent events originated from Nanyang, and now that Jin Shu is also going to Nanyang. Behind her is the entire country of Gao Li, although such a small power is not to be feared, but if others were to use it against you, it’s still enough to cause a headache.” 

Chu Yuan said: “You’re worried that there’s someone who wants to use Jin Shu to control Jin Tai?’

Duan Bai Yue said: “There is certainly this possibility.”

Chu Yuan replied: “For better or worse, Jin Tai is still a monarch. To marry off his dear sister, why would he not first investigate clearly about the other party. There’s no need to worry.”

“One should not be careless either.” Duan Bai Yue squeezed closer to his side, “After all, there’s not many va.s.sals like me, who are easily satisfied. People’s intentions are hard to fathom.” 

Chu Yuan reached out a finger and pushed him away: “We are talking about serious things here; this is the boundary, don’t cross over.”

Duan Bai Yue: “.......”

“Has Yao-er also returned here with you?” Chu Yuan asked again, “Jin Tai is leaving tomorrow, so the palace won"t be that busy. Let’s get him to come and have dinner together? We have only met once at the inn outside Qiong Hua Valley, and did not speak. Things happened too suddenly, I was afraid that he would have been terrified.” 

“Why are you always so concerned about that little brat?” Duan Bai Yue was unhappy, “No.”

“Why do you always not let me see him?” Chu Yuan was also unhappy, “No? Then you can go back now.”

Looking at the person with his back towards him once again, the Xi Nan King was at his wit’s end: “Alright, I will just bring him along tomorrow, and have dinner together before meeting with the people of Chao Ya.” 

Such a...headache.

Since there was no need to hold the morning court, Chu Yuan also woke up a little later than usual. Once he blinked opened his eyes, he just saw a face very close by his pillow, and thus moved back involuntarily.

Duan Bai Yue: “........”

Why didn’t he move closer instead?

“Stop pretending.” Chu Yuan patted his face, “Wake up.” 

Duan Bai Yue said: “Can’t wake up.”

“Then the imperial guards shall take you for an a.s.sa.s.sin and imprison you in the imperial prison.” Chu Yuan boasted. 

Duan Bai Yue sighed, grabbing his hand for a kiss: “It’s as that blind fortune teller had said, my life isn’t good. If I’m not sent into the cold palace, then I’m sent into the castration room, and this time there’s the imperial prison.” 

Chu Yuan snuggled into the blanket: “Who asked for you to not stay in Xi Nan obediently.”

“If you were at Xi Nan, then I wouldn’t leave Yunnan even if I’m dead.” Duan Bai Yue pinched his nose, “But you aren’t willing to leave with me.”

Chu Yuan sat up. 

Duan Bai Yue spoke on his behalf: “Si Xi.”

“Coming!” Eunuch Si Xi ran in happily. 

Chu Yuan: “.....”

“Your Majesty, it’s time to wash up.” Eunuch Si Xi helped him off the bed, “All the officials have already arrived, one after another, and are waiting at the side chamber. Gao Li King, Jin Tai has also arrived. He looks quite happy, and said he must come again next year.” 

Duan Bai Yue asked: “How many sisters does he have in all?”

Eunuch Si Xi answered urgently: “Just one, just one.” 

Duan Bai Yue nodded: “That’s good.”

Please don’t come to look for a betrothal every year. 

Chu Yuan felt it was funny, but couldn’t be bothered to join their conversation,  and simply sent Jin Tai out of the palace after washing up. They had already said that they will be going to see Mu Chi Lao Ren and the Ba Huang Zhen Fa, and so Duan Bai Yue wasn’t in a rush to go back to the inn. Eunuch Si Xi also brought in breakfast a short time after. Other than porridge, appetizers and golden silk rolls, there’s also an entire roasted pig trotters, oil spilling out of it with a slice of the knife. 

…... 

Duan Bai Yue felt that, even if he usually eats a lot of meat and fish, isn"t this a bit too extravagant for the bright morning.

Inside the inn, Duan Yao was currently biting on a wild fruit, while swinging the cradle that the baby was in. The baby girl was pale and rosy, with big and intelligent eyes. Perhaps because they had managed to get a lot of milk while on the road these past few days, thus she was much plumper than when she was in the mountains, and looked even more adorable. Instead, it was her mother who had a waxy complexion, looking like she’s down with a serious illness. So after they settled down in the inn, Duan Yao simply brought the little girl into his room to take care of her. Those Chao Ya people didn’t raise any objections to it either, and simply nodded in agreement. 

What kind of mother is this ah…..Duan Yao pouted. Thinking about when they were in Xi Nan, and the woman that his second brother rescued from the mouth of the ferocious tiger; staying with the toddler all day long, going into the room to feed her milk once the toddler was hungry; that should be what a mother is like. The little girl chuckled after eating her fill. Duan Yao pinched her arm, thinking to himself, she became so more plumper after just a few days, who knows how hard her days were like before.

It was almost afternoon when Chu Yuan returned to his sleeping quarters. When he entered he saw Duan Bai Yue standing by the window, looking at the big hole in the courtyard. 

Chu Yuan: “........”

Duan Bai Yue asked: “Let’s plant it back?”

Chu Yuan answered: “Depends on my mood.”

Duan Bai Yue smiled: “How can your mood be improved? Why don’t I sing something?”

“Unruly.” Chu Yuan said, “Let’s go, to the carpentry workshop.” 

Duan Bai Yue frowned: “Just returned after a busy morning, and you’re not even stopping to drink a cup of tea?”

“There’s a lot of things to do today.” Chu Yuan said, “After seeing Ba Huang Zhen Fa, Tai Fu and other officials have issues to discuss too, and are waiting in the study. After that there’s still dinner with Yao-er, and to meet the people of Chao Ya.” 

Duan Bai Yue shook his head: “Gives me a headache just hearing about it. If you’re really busy, then there’s no need to have dinner together. The people of Chao Ya are at the inn, and can’t run away anyway, and it doesn"t seem like they’re dying soon, I can just keep them fed and clothed. It’s not too late to meet them when you’re free.”

“No, issues will simply acc.u.mulate more and more.” Chu Yuan patted his shoulder with a smile, “Let’s go. Crossing the imperial garden in broad daylight, let’s see if there’s anyone who realises that Xi Nan King is right in the palace.”

In the carpentry workshop, Mu Chu Lao Ren was testing a xylophone; when hit upon, it sounded like the stream of a river, an extremely pleasing sound. 

This time, the two people outside have had experience, and remembered to knock on the door. 

“Your Majesty, Xi Nan King.” Mu Chi Lao Ren opened the door, and said with a smile, “I have just finished putting in the last piece, what a good time to have arrived.” 

“We have already heard it outside just now, it’s very refined.” Chu Yuan picked up the xylophone, “Never would have thought that it came from such a small instrument.”

“Is it also an a.s.sa.s.sination tool?” Duan Bai Yue asked. 

“It’s not, it’s just that I saw that this wood was especially good, and can’t bear to even let the sc.r.a.ps become kindling, and just made it into a xylophone.” Mu Chi Lao Ren said, “A small plaything created by the artisans of Da Yan city, most of them are given to kids as playthings, as it sounds good even if one doesn’t understand music.” 

“This elder is truly…” Duan Bai Yue couldn"t find an appropriate word to describe either, and could only say, “With such exquisite and outstanding workmanship, isn’t it too regretful for you to not take in disciples.”

“Taking in disciples is up to fate, it can’t be forced.” Mu Chi Lao Ren shook his head, and continued, “Your Majesty and Xi Nan King have come to see Ba Huang Zhen Fa?” 

Chu Yuan said: “That’s right.” 

Mu Chi Lao Ren brought the two of them to an empty room in the carpentry workshop. Eighteen one-foot men, made of bronze, are placed on the floor. Underneath the feet of every bronze statue is a trap mechanism, and on every one of their waists hangs a small wooden box.

“There isn’t enough s.p.a.ce, so I shrunk down all of the things a few times.” Mu Chi lao Ren said, “For the purposes of looking at the trap, this is in fact more convenient instead. When the army is really going to war, the bronze men will be changed to real men, and as for the numbers, it can multiplied by eighteen men each time. As the number of men increases, its potential will increasingly can’t be overlooked.” 

Chu Yuan nodded: “This elder can start now.”

Mu Chi Lao ren said: “Wait first.” Right after that he ran out the door, going somewhere unknown, and returned after a moment with three big noisy rats in each of his hands. 

Chu Yuan: “.........”

Chu Yuan: “.........”

Chu Yuan: “.........”

Duan Bai Yue calmly stood forward a little, somewhat blocking him. 

Mu Chi Lao Ren threw those rats into the middle of Ba Huang Zhen Fa. 

The bronze men began to move slowly at a low speed, but it was as if those few rats were like headless files, even with a wide open door to their side, they didn’t know how to escape, and instead kept turning around within the formation, as if their minds were led astray. 

Chu Yuan frowned slightly. 

After a while, one of the rats seemed to have reached the end of its patience, opened its mouth and bit towards one of the bronze men by its side. But before it could get close, fresh blood had already sprayed from its throat. The rest of its kind smelled the blood in the air, and immediately pounced onto it and finished it; the floor was full of guts, fur and the stench and stain of blood. 

Chu Yuan felt like he was almost going to...vomit. 

Duan Bai Yue instead saw it very clearly; just as the rat was about to attack, the bronze man’s arm moved in a blink of an eye, and used the blade between its fingertips to cleanly slice its throat and take its life. 

“This is only a minor mechanism.” Mu Chi lao ren shut off the trap underneath the floor, “With the real Ba Huang Zhen Fa, other than trapping the enemy, it can also disturb their mind, and after a long time, hallucinations will appear, leading them to kill each other. 

Chu Yuan said: “This elder is truly admirable.” 

“Your Majesty is unwell today?” Mu Chi Lao Ren asked. Why is his face so pale? 

Duan Bai Yue brought him out of the room, asking softly: “Fine?”

Chu Yuan waved his hand: “No matter.” He didn’t manage to eat breakfast, and drank a few cups of wine when sending Jin Tai off, and was already feeling uncomfortable. And now that he saw with his own eyes a group of rats cannibalizing each other, sourness surged up in his abdomen, his stomach aching dully. 

“Let’s end this here for now.” Duan Bai Yue said to Mu Chi Lao Ren, “This elder has also worked hard recently, we will visit again another day.” 

“Xi Nan King is too courteous.” Mu Chi Lao Ren shook his head again and again, “It should be me thanking Your Majesty instead.” To be able to have fish and meat everyday, and the bed is big and soft, and moreover he doesn’t have to worry about being pursued by others, and this small workshop isn’t like those scheming ones in Da Yan city, calling him grand founder to cajole him, he can practically live for another eighty years. 

Chu Yuan said: “Then this elder should rest first, we still have some things to attend to in the study.” 

“Yes yes yes.” Mu Chi Lao Ren bowed in acknowledgment of the order, and poked Duan Bai Yue secretly -- what’s he going to the study for when he’s already like this, quickly bring him back to the residential quarters to rest.

Duan Bai Yue raised an eyebrow, and first returned to the residence with Chu Yuan.　

“Are you returning to the inn now?” Chu Yuan asked, sitting by the table. 

“Looking at you, how can I return to the inn.” Duan Bai Yue helped him pour a cup of hot tea, “Don’t think anymore, finish the tea.” 

Chu Yuan also felt….before when he personally led the troops into battle, he didn’t feel much when his men bled countlessly, so why would he be this disgusted? After much thinking, he could only still think that they’re too disgusting -- from young, he has never seen them much, and during that time of the Xi Bei Giant Rat spell he was quite far away. Afterall, this thing is gray and abhorrent, with a skinny tail, shifty eyes, smelly, and it’s also dirty. 

Eww…..

Duan Bai Yue laughed at his expression, and patted his face: “What are you thinking about? The tea’s getting cold.”

Chu Yuan came out of his thoughts, drank the cup of tea in one go, and in the end….his stomach felt even worse.

“Your Majesty, is a trip to be made to the imperial study?” Eunuch Si Xi asked carefully outside. 

Chu Yuan stood up. 

“Why are you still going to the imperial study for.” Duan Bai Yue stopped him, “Your head is full of cold sweat.” 

Chu Yuan, pressing on his stomach, sat back by the table. 

Duan Bai Yue let Si Xi come in, saying: “Go get an imperial physician here.”

“Aiyo, what’s with Your Majesty.” Eunuch Si Xi got a shock. 

“Go tell Tai Fu, forget about it for today.” Chu Yuan said with a frown, “It’s not much, just a little bit unwell.”

Eunuch Si Xi quickly went to get someone to get the imperial physician, while he himself jogged to the imperial study. Duan Bai Yue helped Chu Yuan onto the bed, asking: “Didn’t eat breakfast again?”

Chu Yuan said: “En.” 

Duan Bai Yue sighed, he can’t do anything about him. 

The imperial physician arrived very quickly, and Duan Bai Yue of course went behind the screen temporarily. Luckily the physician doesn’t have internal energy, and won’t find out that there was an additional person in the room. After testing the pulse he asked about today’s breakfast, then wrote out a prescription and went to prepare the medicine, and asked if there’s need for a little acupuncture to relieve the pain. 

“No need.” Chu Yuan said, “It’s much better than before, it will be fine after some more rest.”

The imperial physician nodded, bowed and retreated, closing the door along the way. Duan Bai Yue walked out from behind the screen, saying: “Nevermind that you didn’t eat breakfast, but you even drank wine?”

“It’s just three cups.” Chu Yuan laid on the bed, having his outer robe already removed, and was only wearing the vibrant yellow inner garment. 

“I will put this on Jin Tai.” Duan Bai Yuan said, “When there’s a chance next time, I’ll get him back for you.” 

Chu Yuan kicked him: “Trouble maker.”

Duan Bai Yue approached him: “It’s because I care deeply about you.” 

Chu Yuan turned his head away: “Sit back where you were!”

Duan Bai Yue smiled: “So fierce even when you’re sick.” 

Chu Yuan said: “It"s nice timing, I don’t want to see Tai Fu and those officials.”

“Next time, if you don’t wish to see them, don’t just use your wellbeing like this.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Just pa.s.s them to me, Xi Nan residence is very experienced in beating up people. If you wish to idle for four days, then I will make them lie in bed for four days.” 

“This again.” Chu Yuan pulled on his cheeks, “Why are you always at loggerheads with Tai Fu.” 

“He doesn’t seem to like me either, why must I like him?” Duan Bai Yue said bluntly. 

Since the other person spoke with overwhelming conviction, Chu Yuan was also too lazy to argue; he laid on the bed and rested his eyes for a while. A moment later, eunuch Si Xi sent in the warm medicinal porridge that has been just cooked, and retreated again. Duan Bai Yue opened the case of the food container and a pungent medicinal smell burst out. 

“Porridge should be porridge, medicine should be medicine, isn’t this too ----” 

Duan Bai Yue brought it to the bed, and before he could finish his words, Chu Yuan had already picked up the spoon and started eating.

“Isn’t it difficult to eat?” Duan Bai Yue was already in pain just looking at him. 

Chu Yuan reb.u.t.ted: “How can medicine be nice to eat?”

Duan Bai Yue: “.......”

But it’s not often that one sees something this bad. 

After forcing down the last mouthful of porridge, Chu Yuan pa.s.sed the empty bowl to him. Eunuch Si Xi promptly came in to take it away, attended to him rinsing his mouth, doing his tasks swiftly. 

Duan Bai Yue: “I don’t admire Jin Tai, but I sure admire Si Xi a lot.” 

Chu Yuan glanced at his lower body. 

Duan Bai Yue: “.......”

“Do you want to go there?” Chu Yuan asked. 

Duan Bai Yue shook his head.

“Whenever you want to go, you just have to tell us.” Chu Yuan patted his shoulder, “I’ll let you cut in front, no need to wait.” 

Duan Bai Yue calmly said: “Why not I leave this good fortune to Gao Li King, he likes to take advantages whenever he can after all.” 

Chu Yuan laid back on the bed with a smile, feeling that his stomach has settled down quite a lot. 

Duan Bai Yue laid by his side: “Is it still painful?’ 

Chu Yuan said: “Yeah.” 

Duan Bai Yue asked: “Want a ma.s.sage?”

Chu Yuan said: “No.”

Duan Bai Yue forcefully pulled him into his arms. 

Chu Yuan didn’t resist either, only hitting him once as a gesture. 

Warm palms, separated by a thin garment, gently pressed on his stomach. It’s quite comfortable. 

Chu Yuan squirmed around, finding a comfortable position: “Don’t speak.” 

Duan Bai Yue said: “Alright.” 

Chu Yuan closed his eyes, intending to sleep for a while more. 

The strap of his inner garment was very loose, unravelling by itself a moment later, exposing naked skin --- it’s made of silk from the capital after all, its quality is good, glossy and smooth. 

Duan Bai Yue was unperturbed. 

Chu Yuan is also unperturbed. 

Or, at least he looks like he’s unperturbed. 

Duan Bai Yue felt, it’s alright even if he could only do this for the rest of his life.

After an hour had pa.s.sed, Chu Yuan was sleeping deeply. Duan Bai Yue put the blanket over him, and reluctant to part, kissed him, before leaving the palace. 

Duan Yao was also in deep sleep. 

“Wake up.” Duan Bai Yue knocked on his nose.

“What is it again?” Duan Yao yawned mightily, opening his eyes groggily. 

Duan Bai Yue said: “It’s good news.” 

Duan Yao’s eyes were already half open, and after hearing his reply, they decisively closed again. It’s “good news” as said by his dear brother, it’s most likely not anything good. 

Duan Bai Yue said: “I’m bringing you into the palace.”

Eh? Duan Yao sat up: “What am I entering the palace for, to see Ba Huang Zhen Fa?”

Duan Bai Yue said: “To have dinner.”

Duan Yao: “........”

Duan Bai Yue said: “Xiao Yan wants to see you.” 

Duan Yao was bewildered: “Who is Xiao Yan?”

Duan Bai Yue looked at him. 

Duan Yao became even more confused. 

As his younger brother was truly too idiotic, Duan Bai Yue could only say: “Emperor Chu.”

“The emperor wants to treat me to dinner?” Duan Yao felt he had received an earth shattering shock.

Duan Bai Yue said: “Remember not to embarra.s.s the Xi Nan residence.” 

Duan Yao: “.......”

Why?

Duan Bai Yue continued: “Go and change out of your wrinkled clothes, and enter the palace with me later.”

“Xiao Yan?” Duan Yao was still confused, what kind of nickname is this. 

Duan Bai Yue replied harshly: “You think Xiao Yan is for you to use,”

Duan Yao felt that it was because he just woke up, so he doesn’t have enough brains to use. Openly, Xi Nan residence was rebellious against the throne, and yet in practical sense, had always been helping the court. Even he could deduce something, but certainly it’s not to the extent of the intimacy of “Xiao Yan” right, could it be code name?

And as they say, once someone squeezes into the tip of a horn, it’s very hard to come out. After a whole two hours have pa.s.sed, Duan Yao was still thinking, what kind of weird nickname is this, don’t tell him that the emperor also calls his brother Xiao Yue, it totally sounds like he’s a courtesan from Qin Huai river. 

“But why does the emperor want to have dinner with me?” Duan Yao asked this question for the eighth time. 

Duan Bai Yue really wanted to feed him a whole bag of poison that would mute him. 

Duan Yao, with his cheeks in his hands, though, could it be because it was him that found the people of Chao Ya?”

As the sky darkened, Duan Bai Yue indeed brought Duan Yao into the palace. 

Although it wasn’t a grand feast, Chu Yuan still prepared a table full of dishes, half of it was the specialities of the capital, while the other half was the heavily spiced Xi Na food. 

“Don’t be embarra.s.s me.” Before they entered the dining hall, Duan Bai Yue reminded him once again. 

“Of course!” Duan Yao cleared his throat, opened the door with a cheery smile. 

“Yao-er.” Chu Yuan stood up, and walked to him with a smile. 

On the other side, Duan Yao was a bit stunned, the emperor, was actually the person that he met before outside the inn at Qiong Hua valley?

Wait wait wait wait. 

……..

……..

……..

……..

Inside himself, Duan Bai Yue was disgruntled, what kind of stupid look is this!

“Yao-er?” Chu Yuan was also confused. 

Scenes flew past in Duan Yao’s mind. When they met at the inn, he had thought that that was his brother’s beloved, but after that his teacher said it was General Shen instead, so he naturally thought this person was General Shen’s attendant. But-but-but-but he’s actually the emperor?

……

“Duan. Yao.” The words squeezed out from the gaps of Xi Nan King’s teeth. 

“No need to be restrained.” Chu Yuan smiled, “It’s just a normal meal.” 

Just what is happening! Duan Yao wanted to cry but had no tears, feeling that his faith has somewhat collapsed, the whole world has become unfamiliar to him. 

Duan Bai Yue just pulled him straight on to the chair. 

Chu Yuan was also uncertain, he had long heard that the young master of Xi Nan residence was innocent and happy-go-lucky. Duan Bai Yue had also mentioned it a few times, and he certainly was quick witted, but now, why does he seem a little….slow?

Duan Bai Yue asked: “Is there any liquor?” Might as well get him totally drunk in two cups.

“Yao-er is still young, what is he drinking liquor for?” Chu Yuan picked up a cup of goat milk from the table, “The imperial kitchen has been specially instructed to make this. Try it, there’s sesame, peanuts and dates added in, it’s sweet and tasty.” 

Duan Bai Yue shook his head: “How old is he already? To do such this, you’re spoiling him.”

“What does this have to do with you?” Chu Yuan glared at him. 

Duan Yao swallowed his saliva. 

Internally, Duan Bai Yue was conflicted, could he have been infected with a gu.

His teacher keeps his face covered all the time, and his dear little brother is such a dolt. With such a family dragging him down, he felt he won’t be able to marry even thirty years later. 

And at this very moment, in the mind of the dear little brother, thousands of drums are sounding out, thousands of horses are all mute, thousands of arrows are being shot out, thousands of people are singing. 

Looking at the conversation between the two of them, they were clearly making eyes at each other, each other, each other. 

And thinking more closely about it, about General Shen, it was said by his teacher, his teacher, his teacher. 

Has water gone into his brain, to actually believe his teacher’s words.

After all, that’s a person who can boast of saw blades till they turn into Gan Jiang Mo Ye(1).

And that piece of crummy metal is still hanging on his brother’s waist!

But he had never expected that his brother’s beloved is actually the emperor, the emperor, the emperor.

This, this, this…..

Duan Yao drank the cup of goat milk violently, putting down the cup with a “dong”, leaving a circle of white around his mouth. 

Chu Yuan got a shock from his actions.

Duan Bai Yue: “.......”

Silence descended on the room. 

Chu Yuan felt that, it’s better if he doesn’t talk instead, and just eat his food instead.

(1) Gan Jiang Mo Ye: 干将莫邪 - swords named after a swordsmithing couple. Wiki